Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form inside the body, binding internal organs together...and leaving the victim to suffer incredible pain. Since adhesions elude the eye of standard medical tests, and many doctors do not discuss the illness itself, a proper diagnosis of adhesions, or ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder), is often left up to the sufferer!

January 2010

Here is a picture of my daughter and her son during Christmas 2009. As you can see, she has not only regained her life, she is fully living life again!

From the time we flew out of Germany in 2003, my daughter has been well. Given that she had suffered an agonizing 14 years, we consider her turnaround to be nothing short of a miracle.

However, we all know that "miracles" often only come on the heel of great trial. For adhesions sufferers, the journey toward renewed health can be the most difficult challenge they will ever face.

Being that my daughter and I have "been there, done that," we know what worked and what didn't.

It is disheartening when a doctor makes promises prior to surgery only to become "baffled" after surgery as he attempts to explain away the reasons his original high expectations failedyou.

Many adhesions sufferers have an all too common post-op report: "The doctor said I was the worst case he's ever seen...he did all he could." This is often followed by..."I'll never be well."

Clearly, adhesions sufferers have their work cut out for them if they want to regain quality of life.

Just as one man has his way of repairing a sagging ceiling and believes it to be the only way to repair a sagging ceiling, another man may have a better idea. The person with the sagging ceiling only wants one thing: to look up at his ceiling and see it is repaired! We don't want to hear, "Your ceiling was the worst I've ever seen...," after we've authorized (and paid) him to do the job.

Granted, surgeons' are often "going in blindly," much to the contrary of a ceiling repairman. However, just as there are ceiling repairmen who do a quality job and you are pleased with the outcome, there are also those (and most of us have encountered them) who do a poor job and then blame theirlack of skill on your poorly built home.

Likewise, there are surgeons' who will take a stab at your case--no pun intended--simply because they too have a mortgage, golf club fees, and kids who need braces. Yes, sad to say, but some physicians have motive that far outweigh your hopes to become well.

From someone who walked the medical maze with an extremely ill child, I hope to save you some steps..or at least help you avoid the jagged crooks in the road (pun intended!)

Here's just a small list of things to consider: Research the doctor and his method of adhesiolysis. Ask questions. Ask for names and phone numbers of prior patients who are willing to speak about their outcome. (Yes, more and more doctors are happy to provide a list of contacts). Keep in mind that one person's bad (or good) experience does not indicate you will have a bad (or good) experience; each case is different. What type of barrier will be used during surgery? Is the barrier one that has proven to be successful? Will he perform laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery? If not, why not? (Laparotomy should be avoided if at all possible.) How often has he resorted to laparotomy (open incision) after beginning laparoscopically? Does he inform the patient (in writing) the chance that a laparotomy may be required?

Too often we trust the doctor simply because he is a doctor. Melissa and I began her journey with that same trust. Unfortunately, we had to learn things the hard way: 10 minute office visits followed by a plethora of tests, doctors, and specialists would never be the answer to her suffering.

For the adhesions sufferer, the chance for healing will only come via the physician who is keen to this disorder, has a tried and true method of adhesiolysis, adequate tools and products to perform the job, as well as the gift of being a surgeon who truly cares about his patient.

Questions, questions, questions. I get questions! And, I am always happy to answer!

Please keep in mind, however, as is stated at this blog, I am not providing medical advice. The postings and comments within this blog are written to promote awareness of ARD, an illness that stole 14 years from my daughter's life. (She is now well).

All too often, I'm asked this question: what do you think of massage therapy for adhesions?

Before I elaborate, I will share a link so you can read the statement about this subject as is stated at the following website:

I've heard from many women suffering from horrid adhesion pain who have tried massage therapy. To date, none have had a positive report, with one woman writing to tell me her pain and problems have now increased. Though massage therapy may work in some instances--say sport injuries--adhesions which entrap internal organs such as the intestines, liver, diaphragm, stomach and female organs not only leave the sufferer debilitated, massage therapy to the upper and lower abdominal areas may only prove to cause further trauma to affected organs. Since trauma to the body causes adhesions, many adhesion sufferers are simply not willing to "try" massage therapy.

While some websites insist the right therapist can free abdominal & pelvic adhesions, the majority of studies and surgeons report that adhesiolysis--surgical removal of adhesions--is the only method by which the pain and symptoms caused by problematic adhesions of the upper and lower abdomen can be alleviated. Even in adhesiolysis, many surgeons' will perform surgery knowing they have limited resources to produce a positive outcome (an adequate barrier, for instance). While many surgeons' promise a positive outcome, while knowing the opposite will be true, other surgeons are candid when explaining to the sufferer they may receive little to no relief from a surgical procedure. These surgeons are often willing to perform an adhesiolysis, but want the patient to know upfront the marginal results when undergoing such surgery.

Since I am often asked if we ever went the route of massage therapy for Melissa, I decided it was time to post the answer: No. I did research massage therapy after Melissa's first failed adhesioysis, however, because Melissa had such great abdominal pain and had guarded her stomach for years (so afraid someone or something might touch it) massage therapy never seemed a logical "treatment" to request of her. When she checked out the information on her own, she was adamant that no one was touching her painful abdominal area.

So, for all who ask, my opinion remains the same: abdominal adhesions require an expert surgeon who is not only knowledgeable to this specific malady, but who has the resources, as well as the skill, to bring the patient back to health.

After watching my daughter suffer enormous pain/vomiting/agony during her teen years and most of her twenties, I am only too happy to tell other sufferers what finally worked for her. Dr. Daniel Kruschinski was our answer to many years of earnest prayer. Dr. Kruschinski is not only brilliant, talented, and well versed in the field of adhesions, he is perhaps the only surgeon in the entire world who can claim such an extended list of former adhesion sufferers. Because he is a surgeon/doctor who clearly understands the devastating toll this illness brings to the sufferer as well as their loved ones, he connects to patients and family members on a level that is simply unheard of in today's world of medicine. Most doctors/surgeons do not provide "references" for future patients, however, this is not the case with Dr. Kruschinski. He has a devoted following of patients who are happy to share their story with those who suffer from adhesions.

Simply put, Dr. Kruschinski has used his zeal and talent to heal many who suffer from this painful disorder. I am only one of many who can't thank him enough! My daughter now enjoys a beautiful life, free from pain and suffering. Given the nature of this illness, that is simply awesome!

Doctors: Bound By Secrecy? Victims Bound By Pain!

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DISCLAIMER

The information found on this website is to share the personal story of my daughter's trying journey with Adhesion Related Disorder. This website is designed solely to: inform, educate, and shatter the silence that surrounds the illness of adhesions, or ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder). The postings within this site are the opinions of the author and/or guests who post here. No content of this website should be construed as medical advice. This site does not provide medical advice. Please consult your physician for all matters concening physical and mental health. 3/14/07